Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-05-13

FGQGfal COI pOF6ls
A Gun That Was Discharged by Falling
Kills Two Men in Ambush.
On the night before Gen. Blunt at.
tackled Marmaduke at Cape Hill, Ark,
and after a days march Of twenty-seven
miles, the company in which was then
private, says Corporal Jackson" in
the Detroit Free Press, was placed on
outpost duty. We were within three or
four miles Of Crane Hill and as far as we
knew had not yet been discovered by
the enemy. Marmadukc had a strong
body Of cavalry under him, and his force
was in advance Of a body OF 20, 600 infan-
try under Gen. Hindman. Hiudman
was yet two days away when we came
up it being BIunps plan to fall upon
Marmaduke before he could receive
supports.
When we came to be stationed for the
night two men were allowed on each
post, and spot where a comrade
/ and myself were stationed was alongside
the highway leading to Crane Hill, and
from half to threc-quartcrs of a mile
from our camp. There was a heavy re-
serve picket a quarter Of mile behind
us, but as soon as we had been left lone
and night had settled down we discov-
cred that we had a very lonely position.
1t was at bend of the road, and just
here was creek and a morass, while
the forest about US was dense and
gloomy. 1t seemed as if every living
thing known to night had come to give
US serenade. A big owl took position
in the tree above our heads and kept up
his dismal boots for an hour, while
whippoorwills, frogs and various insects
added their notes.
My comrade was burly big German,
having little sentiment and no fear about
him, and being tired Of the long march
he soon began to browse. l pitched
into him tooth and toenail when caught
him asleep, for nothing was surer than
the knowledge that Marmaduke would
send scouts and spies along our front
and into our camp if he knew of our
presence. The man reused up for awhile
but by and by sleep ovcrcame him again,
and he sat down with his back to tree
and made no further attempt to keep
awake. When found that no argument
of mine would keep his eyes open. my
/ only recourse was to keep doubie watch,
and so made sure that the relief did moi
lind him asleep when it came up. was
% thoroughly tired out that l could not
have slept even in camp.
After the first hour had passed away
and ] had become accustomed to the
noises and the loneliness, there was
nothing so very disagreeablc in the stu
alton. My comrade had gradually fallen
over, until at last he was fiat on tho
ground. | sat with my back TO the tree,
iacing the bend in the road and the
bridge, and, though the night was
without moon, could have easily de-
ected anyone seeking to cross the stream
oy the highway. An hour and half
lad passed when tie silence was broken
oy a stifled cry. 1t acted on me like an
electric shoc.I, and | sprang up, with my
leart in my mouth. | could not tell
rom which direction it came, and as tn r
lad been only one cry, l soon made
myself believe that it had been uttered by
ZONE bird or animal. Nevertheless, my
nerves were al on edge, and the loneli-
less grew so oppressive that l deter
, mined to arouse my comrade As
moved over to him for this purpose my
DOT struck his muskct, which was
, Gaming against the :ree, and it fcl
lown and was discharged. The SHARP
{ 'eport was followed by an "Ohl ohr
{ close at hand, and the sleeper at my
'eet was awake and on his feet in five
, Ieconds. We stood there, looking th
, way and that, and listening as only
men can when peril menaces until til,
1orpo.a's guard came trotting up t,
ascertain the cause of the firing.
Then what do you suppose we dis
:overed2 Not over twenty feet from tn,
rec, in the woods by the roadside, la,
he bodies of two of the toughest look
I ng bushwhackers one ever saw. On,
4 was right behind the other, and tn
s oNnce ball from the muskct | haC
Knocked down had passed through
Y both their bodies just below tn
s oreast- bone. E,ch had a bowie-knife
n md each knife was stained with fresl
1 blood, and when we investigated fur
c her we found that both men on tn
o outpost to our right had been assassi
t lated-each being stabbed in three 0
: our places. You may call it Proyi
/ lence, accident, or whatever you will
Q am only giving you the facts in tn
.ase, and facts that can be substantiate,
oy scores Of men still living.